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Pet Arthritis Awareness

Save
10% on exam, screening x-rays, massage, acupuncture or adjustment services for
your pet during May & June 2016.

We all know that arthritis can affect humans, but did you
know that it can affect your furry pet friends too?We are promoting Pet Arthritis awareness
Community Animal Hospital.Now is the
perfect time to address this health issue so you and your pet can spring pain
free into warmer weather when it arrives!

Arthritis is a painful, degenerative joint disease or
deterioration of the joint that can hinder movement and cause pain. It affects
dogs & cats of any age, although we frequently think of it as a disease of
older animals. Almost all dogs and cats will develop varying degrees of
arthritis at some point in their lives. It can be mild & unnoticeable, or
it can be debilitating-severely affecting pet’s quality of life.

Signs of Arthritis:

Unfortunately arthritis is not always easy to spot. By its
nature it develops gradually, so animals tend to learn to cope with the
discomfort without showing any obvious pain. That is why it is important to
watch for non-verbal clues closely & take even subtle changes seriously
such as:

Favoring a limb

Difficulty sitting or standing

Getting up slowly after rest

Sleeping more, decreased activity or less
interest in play

Seeming to have stiff or sore joint

Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs

Weight gain

Attitude and behavior change

Might appear depressed & less alert

Changes in litter habits

If your pet has any of the above symptoms it is best to have
them evaluated.An examination may
reveal further changes such as joint swelling, crepitus (grating sensation) on
movement of the joint & pain, although x-rays tend to be the best way to
diagnose the condition.

Medical treatment:

Our veterinary team is here to help so you can make an
informed decision on how to slow the progression & manage arthritis
specific to your pet’s individual health needs.Although arthritis cannot be cured, the good news is that we have an
expanding range of treatments that we can utilize such as but not limited to:

Alternative treatments such as Adjustments,
Acupuncture, and Medical Massage.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with
veterinary supplements containing either glucosamine and chondroitin or Omega
fatty acids.

Prescribing a healthy diet and proper exercise
regime to maintain optimum weight in order to prevent and decrease the
progression of degenerative joint disease!